Sawtooth Opinions

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Senior Member

I'm thinking of going with the sawtooth with medium stove for doing a little off season camping here in WI as well as mid Sept elk hunting in Colorado. I know the stove would be sweet for winter camping, but is overkill for mid Sept in CO? I've also read that these tipi type tents can have big problems with condensation in certain conditions, anyone ever experience this? I've been told that the floorless tents can also lead to bug problems, and I really dont want to have any uninvited guests. This Sept will be my first mountain camping experience so all help is appreciated.

Senior Member

I don't have a Sawtooth, but have never had a problem with bugs in any floorless shelter I have owned.
It is my understanding that Kifaru makes a liner for the Sawtooth in case of condensation issues, but I'm assuming you could always run the stove and dry out the interior too.
There have been several occasions where I was grateful for a stove in September.

Administrator

Senior Member

Floorless shelter with stove will change your life. I'm not kidding. Bugs have never been a problem for me. If you live in a damp or very humid area condensation could be an issue easily solved with a liner. But here in CO I've spent many a night in a Sawtooth and condensation is no issue. There may be some but it's not enough to worry about. The stove will burn off any moisture. I run a small stove in mine and have never been cold - down to single digits outside. Don't hesitate on the Sawtoooth. It's a winner. Perfect for one or two hunters/campers.

bearguide

Guest

Member

for the guys running floorless how do you keep all of your stuff dry? i have noticed where we go the ground is like a soaked sponge all year long. i would love to go with a tipi but i just dont see how to keep stuff dry with spongey or snow covered ground. would it be reasonable to make a floor for some of these tipis in not to worryed about weight we are in the process of buying pack goats so i can spare a few pounds.

Member

Senior Member

The stove will dry the entire floor out amazingly quick. You'll be shocked how it works. In winter, it creates a firm crust of snow and makes for a nice "floor". I've taken to leaving the Tyvek and carrying a minimalist bivy like an ID bugaboo... that way you're protected and if hunting you have the ability to bivy out if need be. adds some more ounces but not much more.

Junior Member

new guy chiming in.the sawtooth was probly the best gear investment ive ever made. use it year round and it is tough. makes hunting late season bucks and bulls in the high country much much more enjoyable. roomy as hell and the stove is a must,keeps me out when all others fear cold and crappy weather. they stand behind their products better than any one ive dealt with.

Administrator

Joined

Feb 24, 2012

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I have started using floorless shelters 2 years ago and haven't looked back. The Sawtooth is a bomber shelter. Any shelter that can weigh in that little and still put of with high winds such as this video I made up one my trip to Kodiak, is a good shelter in my book.

Newbie

I have started using floorless shelters 2 years ago and haven't looked back. The Sawtooth is a bomber shelter. Any shelter that can weigh in that little and still put of with high winds such as this video I made up one my trip to Kodiak, is a good shelter in my book.

Administrator

Joined

Feb 24, 2012

Messages

2,582

We brought two shelters on this trip as the 4 season floored one is a 20 pound shelter but we wanted the option to spike out for bear if needed, thus we also brought the Sawtooth. Ended up not spiking out, but used the woodstove with the sawtooth as our hangout/gear storage shelter and the other tent to sleep in. Worked pretty well. Had we only had the Sawtooth we obviously wouldn't have purposely set it up in just a direct line to the wind.